stay with the babies in the nest most of the time. She built the nest, had them and I haven't seen her with them since. Is everything ok? Is it normal for her to not be with them all the time?
2007-03-16 15:04:45 · 6 answers · asked by lilmama 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Rabbits feed their young at night. They usually spend time apart during the day and you should not disturb them too much or get your scent on the babies before they get a bit older and come out into the main compartment. Just keep an eye out for any dead babies as mum and siblings will eat them, sad i know. Good Luck
2007-03-16 15:18:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bunnies are easily stressed. Female bunnies are likely to abandon or even eat their young when stressed. You have a problem other than the bunny - maybe even a predator stalking her. Since she's a rabbt, she'll leave the babies to protect herself...
Note: Bunnies do not sit with babies as much as mommy cats do... Bunnies need to forage a lot to produce enough milk for their young - she may be nursing them when you aren't looking. She may be stressed because YOU are stalking her...
For a fast check, put high nutrition food near the nest (soy and oats). If she jumps in after a little munch then it was just that she needed food to make milk. If she avoids the nest altogether even with the food bait, then you know she is purposefully avoiding the area.
Baby bunnies don't need mommy for very long - you'll just have to be mommy until they can eat solids. Seperate them from mommy if she has lost motherly care, she may hurt them. You can get formula and a nursing bottle from your local pet store.
Good luck!
2007-03-16 22:42:02 · answer #2 · answered by unlv_engineer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are licensed wildlife rehabbers and everything everyone else wrote is pretty much spot on.
Mama rabbits don't spend a lot of time with their babies. Perfectly normal. Just continue your normal feedings and try not to disturb her or the babies more than absolutely necessary.
Good luck.
2007-03-16 22:55:49 · answer #3 · answered by marianddoc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in the wild the mom will leave the babies in the nest while she is gone for the day. She only stops in occasionally to check in and nurse them.
2007-03-16 22:20:53 · answer #4 · answered by ALM 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mother rabbits are only with there babies for like 3 minutes a day when they feed them. it's perfectly normal for them not to be with them at any other time of day
2007-03-16 22:29:03 · answer #5 · answered by Olivia W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without the mothers colostrum, the babies will die.
Artificial nursing will not work.
2007-03-16 22:11:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋